Go North East: Service Suggestions v2

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13 Oct 2022, 8:58 am #2,582

(12 Oct 2022, 11:31 pm)ALavery Passenger numbers are falling because of the constant faff on they’re having due to cancellations and loss of services. It’s distrust or simply because they have the money not because ‘oh my god i have to change buses here how awful is that’

Also note how I said that for a bus from seaham to newcastle which is 16 mile away and a two hour journey, god forbid you have to get the 56 and the demand is there. A bus from seaham to doxford park isn’t needed as you can get a bus to ryhope and a bus from ryhope to doxford with the most faff being crossing a road. It takes me an hour and a change of bus to get to college every morning but you don’t see me yapping about a bus from seaham then taking a mystery tour up durham road.

I agree, those factors will have an impact on passenger numbers.

Except passenger numbers have been falling in general for years.
We see routes that have existed for years and very little in the way of changes that adapt to changing work habits, new employment sites etc.
It doesn't take a genius to work out there's some correlation or pattern in that.

As for the X1 link. I didn't realise that was exclusive to Seaham to Newcastle, here's me thinking that different passengers in different areas were the focus. Its not. It's just you that are allowed a direct bus and direct bus you won't use every day.
Whereas those who would love a direct bus every day, aren't allowed one.
Got it.

(12 Oct 2022, 11:33 pm)Drifter60 It’s not about that. In this case a person living in Penshaw does not want to go into Sunderland City Centre via Chester Road, just to go back out of the city centre on a bus up Durham Road. It’s far far too convoluted and takes too long. And again it’s all about passenger perception, a friend tells me a family member living in South Hetton won’t use the new 61 to Dalton Park or Sunderland as it ‘goes round Murton twice’ instead she goes into Easington to connect with the Arriva, or waits to get a lift of course. The former will probably save no time at all, but it’s soul destroying sitting on a bus you feel is going around the world to get where you want. That 61 route in the devil, I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again.

Having said that, for the same reasons outlined above, sending any sort of Sunderland to Seaham bus via Doxford isn’t the answer either, as that would take far too long for those using the point to point. It would have to be a separate service not at the expense of the 60 or X6 and I’m not sure there’s demand. Seaham link isn’t too bad, as you can change at a Ryhope without the need to go in and back out of the bus station. So from the south isn’t too bad, except of course unless you planned on changing from a 22/23 to a 39 and needing two bus operator tickets, but that’s a conversation for another time!! Back to the level of service, even Houghton to Doxford links have been cut back since the 55 is no longer and the X20 temporary withdrawal. I’m sure peak time 20s used to call in, but that doesn’t seem to happen anymore either. The 39’s are the only option and they can’t be a catch all for everyone/everywhere.

Also, was posted earlier in this thread that Roker to Doxford work service which takes an hour from end to end is again a great idea but really? An hour bus ride for what’s 20 minutes car journey across the city?

And this is what it's all about. They're given the choice of a 20min walk and a direct bus or a trip heading in the wrong direction.

Penshaw and Doxford Park was just one example. There are many more across the region and it baffles me, that operators ignore these potential gold mines in favour of sticking with the same old (that clearly doesn't work), no matter what colour the bus is painted that particular week.

(13 Oct 2022, 6:11 am)Storx Couldn't someone from Penshaw walk to Shiney Row and get the 39B it's not that far :s

Mind I don't really get why the 39B is express between there and Washington rather than serving the estates.

Depending where in Penshaw they are, it's a canny hike.
The area I picked (residential area in New Penshaw) is a 20min walk up and down hills from Shiney Row. Assuming they have the time, inclination or ability to do that everyday, it's not the nicest walk.

Or it's a 5min walk down the hill and a 4 to Shiney Row (timing it to connect with a 39b). Same in reverse, but up hill.

In the same time the person has got half way to Shiney, they would have been able to drive there (not get wet or cold) and sit at their desk with a coffee, ready for the day ahead.

Edited 13 Oct 2022, 9:04 am by Andreos1.

'Illegitimis non carborundum'